Exhibit 99.4
SWAP CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This SWAP CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT, dated as of December 29,
2006 (this "Agreement"), among THE BANK OF NEW YORK ("BNY"), as Swap Contract
Administrator (in such capacity, the "Swap Contract Administrator") and not in
its individual or corporate capacity but solely as Trustee under the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, the "Trustee"), and
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC. ("CHL").
WHEREAS, CHL is a party to an interest rate swap agreement between CHL
and Barclays Bank PLC (the "Counterparty"), with a Trade Date of December 12,
2006 and a reference number of 1503206B (the "CHL Swap Contract");
WHEREAS, CHL is conveying certain mortgage loans and other related
assets to a trust fund (the "Trust Fund") created pursuant to a Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2006 (the "Pooling and Servicing
Agreement"), among CWABS Inc., as depositor, CHL, as a seller, Park Monaco Inc.,
as a seller, Park Sienna LLC, as a seller, Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP,
as master servicer (the "Master Servicer"), the Trustee, and The Bank of New
York Trust Company, N.A., as co-trustee, with respect to the CWABS, Inc.
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-25;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, CHL is assigning all of its rights, and delegating all of its duties
and obligations (other than its obligation to pay the Additional Payment (as
defined in the CHL Swap Contract)), under the CHL Swap Contract to the Swap
Contract Administrator pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof (the "Assignment Agreement"), among CHL, as assignor, the Swap
Contract Administrator, as assignee, and the Counterparty and the Swap Contract
Administrator and the Counterparty are entering into a new confirmation with a
Trade Date of December 12, 2006 and a reference number of 1503206B (the "Swap
Contract"), a copy of which is attached to this Agreement at Exhibit A;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that the Trustee make remittances
to the Swap Contract Administrator as contemplated by and to the extent provided
in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement to cover payments due to the Counterparty
under the Swap Contract;
WHEREAS, CHL desires that the Net Payments (as defined below) payable
by the Counterparty on the Swap Contract be distributed to the Trustee under the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement to be applied for the purposes specified in the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement and that the Excess Payments (as defined below)
on the Swap Contract be distributed to CHL;
WHEREAS, CHL and the Trustee desire to appoint the Swap Contract
Administrator, and the Swap Contract Administrator desires to accept such
appointment, to distribute funds received under the Swap Contract to the Trustee
and to CHL as provided in this Agreement, and, in the case of a NIM Issuance, to
distribute Excess Payments in accordance with the related Swap Excess Assignment
Agreement (each as defined below).
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in
this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this
Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.
Benefited Certificates: The Class A Certificates and the Subordinate
Certificates.
Excess Payment: For any Distribution Date on or prior to the Swap
Contract Termination Date and as to which the Swap Contract or a replacement
swap contract is in effect, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the
Net Swap Payment (as defined in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) received by
the Swap Contract Administrator from the Counterparty with respect to such
Distribution Date over (ii) the Net Payment for such Distribution Date. For any
Distribution Date on or prior to the Swap Contract Termination Date but only if
neither the Swap Contract nor a replacement swap contract is in effect, zero.
For any Distribution Date after the Swap Contract Termination Date, an amount
equal to all remaining funds on deposit in the Swap Administration Account.
Indenture Trustee: With respect to a NIM Issuance (if any), the
indenture trustee under the indenture pursuant to which the notes related to
such NIM Issuance are issued.
Net Payment: With respect to any Distribution Date on or prior to the
Swap Contract Termination Date, an amount equal to the sum of (i) any Current
Interest and Interest Carry Forward Amounts in respect of the Benefited
Certificates, (ii) any Net Rate Carryover in respect of the Benefited
Certificates, (iii) any Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts in respect of the Benefited
Certificates and (iv) any Overcollateralization Deficiency Amount, in each case
remaining unpaid (or in the case of Overcollateralization Deficiency Amount,
remaining) following the distribution to the Benefited Certificates of Excess
Cashflow and Credit Comeback Excess Cashflow pursuant to Section 4.04(c) of the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement. With respect to any Distribution Date after the
Swap Contract Termination Date, zero.
NIM Issuance: An issuance by a NIM Trust, on or after the date hereof,
of asset-backed notes secured by the Class C Certificates and/or Class P
Certificates.
NIM Trust: A Delaware statutory trust or other special-purpose entity
that is the issuer of the securities issued in connection with a NIM Issuance
(if any).
Responsible Officer: When used with respect to the Swap Contract
Administrator, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Secretary,
any Assistant Secretary, any Trust Officer or any other officer of the Swap
Contract Administrator customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by any of the above designated officers and also to whom, with respect
to a particular matter, such matter is referred because of such officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
Swap Administration Account: The separate account created and
maintained by the Swap Contract Administrator pursuant to Section 3 with a
depository institution in the name of the Swap Contract Administrator for the
benefit of the Counterparty, CHL and the Trustee on
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behalf of the Holders of the Benefited Certificates and designated "The Bank of
New York for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC and certain
registered Holders of CWABS, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-25".
Funds in the Swap Administration Account shall be held for the Counterparty, CHL
and the Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Benefited Certificates as set
forth in this Agreement.
Swap Excess Assignment Agreement: With respect to a NIM Issuance (if
any), an agreement executed on or after the date hereof by CHL, the related NIM
Trust and the Swap Contract Administrator (in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Swap Contract Administrator), pursuant to which rights to
receive certain portions of Excess Payments shall be assigned to such NIM Trust
and pursuant to which the Swap Contract Administrator shall agree to distribute
Excess Payments to the related Indenture Trustee and CHL (in accordance with the
terms of such agreement).
2. Appointment of Swap Contract Administrator.
CHL and the Trustee hereby appoint BNY to serve as Swap Contract
Administrator pursuant to this Agreement and pursuant to the related Swap Excess
Assignment Agreement (if any). The Swap Contract Administrator accepts such
appointment and acknowledges the transfer and assignment to it of CHL's rights
and obligations under the CHL Swap Contract pursuant to the Assignment
Agreement. The Swap Contract Administrator agrees to exercise the rights
referred to above for the benefit of CHL, the Trustee and the Counterparty and
to perform the duties set forth in this Agreement. In the event of a NIM
Issuance, the Swap Contract Administrator further agrees to perform the duties
set forth in the related Swap Excess Assignment Agreement for the benefit of
CHL, the related NIM Trust and the related Indenture Trustee.
3. Receipt of Funds; Swap Administration Account.
The Swap Contract Administrator hereby agrees to receive (i) on behalf of
CHL and the Trustee, all amounts paid by the Counterparty under the Swap
Contract and (ii) on behalf of the Counterparty, all amounts remitted by the
Trustee pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement for payment to the
Counterparty. The Swap Contract Administrator shall establish and maintain a
Swap Administration Account into which the Swap Contract Administrator shall
deposit or cause to be deposited on the Business Day of receipt, (x) all amounts
remitted by the Trustee for payment to the Counterparty pursuant to the Swap
Contract and (y) all amounts payable by the Counterparty under the Swap
Contract. All funds deposited in the Swap Administration Account shall be held
for the benefit of the Counterparty, CHL and the Trustee on behalf of the
Holders of the Benefited Certificates until withdrawn in accordance with Section
4.
The Swap Administration Account shall be an "Eligible Account" as defined
in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Funds in the Swap Administration Account
shall remain uninvested.
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The Swap Contract Administrator shall give at least 30 days' advance notice
to the Counterparty, CHL and the Trustee of any proposed change of location of
the Swap Administration Account prior to any change thereof.
4. Calculations; Distribution of Payments; Delivery of Notices.
The Swap Contract Administrator hereby agrees to make payments based on the
information provided by the Trustee and the Counterparty, and the Swap Contract
Administrator shall, absent manifest error, be entitled to rely on information
provided by the Trustee and the Counterparty.
On the Business Day of receipt of any payment from the Counterparty, the
Swap Contract Administrator shall withdraw the amount of such payment from the
Swap Administration Account and distribute such amounts sequentially, as
follows:
(a) first, to the Trustee for deposit into the Swap Account, the
applicable Net Payment; and
(b) second, to CHL, the applicable Excess Payment, in accordance with the
following wiring instructions:
Bank: Bank of New York
Account Name: Countrywide Home Loans
Account No: 8900038632
ABA No: 000000000
REF: CWABS 2006-25 X'S SwapPyt
On the Business Day of receipt of any payment from the Trustee for payment
to the Counterparty, the Swap Contract Administrator shall withdraw the amount
of such payment from the Swap Administration Account and distribute such amounts
to the Counterparty in accordance with the wiring instructions specified in the
Swap Contract.
The Swap Contract Administrator shall prepare and deliver any notices
required to be delivered under the Swap Contract.
On the Business Day of receipt of any notices, information or reports
received by the Swap Contract Administrator from the Counterparty, the Swap
Contract Administrator shall provide the same to the Trustee, including without
limitation information regarding any Net Swap Payment or Swap Termination
Payment that will be payable by the Swap Contract Administrator to the
Counterparty with respect to the next Distribution Date.
5. Control Rights; Delivery Amounts; Replacement Swap Contract.
The Trustee shall have the right to direct the Swap Contract Administrator
with respect to the exercise of any right under the Swap Contract (such as the
right to designate an Early Termination Date following an Event of Default or
Termination Event (each such term as defined in the Swap Contract)).
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If the obligations of the Counterparty are, or shall become, guaranteed
pursuant to the guarantee of any party (whether an affiliate of the Counterparty
or otherwise), then the Swap Contract Administrator shall promptly demand in
accordance with the terms of the guarantee from such guarantor all amounts
payable or deliverable by the Counterparty under the Swap Contract in the event
that the Counterparty fails to make timely payment or delivery of such amounts.
Upon the Swap Contract Administrator or the Trustee obtaining actual
knowledge of the rating of the Counterparty falling below the Approved Ratings
Threshold or the Required Ratings Threshold (as defined in the Swap Contract),
the Swap Contract Administrator, at the direction of the Trustee, shall demand
payment of the Delivery Amount from the Counterparty, (Swap Contract) on each
Valuation Date (as defined in the Swap Contract) and perform its other
obligations in accordance with the Swap Contract or (ii) take such other action
required under the Swap Contract. If a Delivery Amount is demanded, the Swap
Contract Administrator shall establish an account to hold cash or other eligible
investments pledged under the Swap Contract. Any such account shall be an
"Eligible Account" as defined in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Any cash
or other Eligible Collateral (as defined in the Swap Contract) pledged under the
Swap Contract shall not be part of the Swap Administration Account unless they
are applied in accordance with the Swap Contract to make a payment due to the
Swap Contract Administrator pursuant to the Swap Contract.
In the event that the Swap Contract is terminated, CHL shall assist the
Swap Contract Administrator in procuring a replacement swap contract with terms
approximating those of the original Swap Contract, and the Swap Contract
Administrator shall enter into a replacement swap contract procured by CHL or
the Counterparty and continue to serve as Swap Contract Administrator pursuant
to the terms hereof. Any Swap Termination Payment received from the Counterparty
shall be used to pay any upfront amount required under any replacement swap
contract, and any excess shall be distributed to CHL. In the event that a
replacement swap contract cannot be procured, any Swap Termination Payment
received from the Counterparty in respect of the termination of the original
Swap Contract shall be held in the Swap Administration Account and distributed
as provided in Section 4.
In the event that a replacement swap is procured and the replacement
counterparty pays an upfront amount to the Swap Contract Administrator in
connection with the execution of the replacement swap contract, then (i) if that
upfront amount is not received prior to the Distribution Date on which any Swap
Termination Payment was due to the Counterparty under the original Swap
Contract, that upfront amount shall be held in the Swap Administration Account
and distributed as provided in Section 4, and (ii) if that upfront amount is
received prior to the Distribution Date on which any Swap Termination Payment is
due to the Counterparty under the original Swap Contract, the Swap Contract
Administrator shall remit to the Trustee, to be included in Interest Funds for
Loan Group 1 and Loan Group 2, the portion of such upfront amount equal to the
lesser of (x) such upfront amount and (y) the amount of the Swap Termination
Payment due to the Counterparty under the original Swap Contract, to be
allocated between Loan Group 1 and Loan Group 2 pro rata based on their
respective Interest Funds for that Distribution Date. Any upfront amount paid by
a replacement counterparty that is not remitted by the Swap Contract
Administrator to the Trustee pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence
shall be distributed to CHL.
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6. Monitoring of Significance Percentage. With respect to each Distribution
Date, the Swap Contract Administrator shall calculate the "significance
percentage" (as defined in Item 1115 of Subpart 229.1100 - Asset Backed
Securities (Regulation AB), 17 C.F.R. xx.xx. 229.1100-229.1123) of the Swap
Contract based on the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Benefited
Certificates for such Distribution Date (after all distributions to be made
thereon on such Distribution Date) and based on the methodology provided in
writing by or on behalf of CHL no later than the fifth Business Day preceding
such Distribution Date. On each Distribution Date, the Swap Contract
Administrator shall provide to CHL a written report (which written report may
include similar information with respect to other derivative instruments
relating to securitization transactions sponsored by CHL) specifying the
"significance percentage" of the Swap Contract for that Distribution Date. If
the "significance percentage" of the Swap Contract exceeds 7.0% with respect to
any Distribution Date, the Swap Contract Administrator shall make a separate
notation thereof in the written report described in the preceding sentence. Such
written report may contain such assumptions and disclaimers as are deemed
necessary and appropriate by the Swap Contract Administrator.
7. Representations and Warranties of the Swap Contract Administrator. The Swap
Contract Administrator represents and warrants as follows:
(a) BNY is duly organized and validly existing as a banking corporation
under the laws of the State of New York and has all requisite power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations as Swap Contract Administrator under this Agreement.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by BNY as
Swap Contract Administrator has been duly authorized by BNY.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by BNY as Swap
Contract Administrator and is enforceable against BNY in accordance
with its terms, except as enforceability may be affected by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).
(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by BNY as
Swap Contract Administrator will not result in a breach of the
organizational documents of BNY and will not violate any applicable
law, rule or regulation of the United States or the State of New York.
8. Certain Matters Concerning the Swap Contract Administrator.
(a) The Swap Contract Administrator shall undertake to perform such duties
and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement.
(b) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Swap
Contract Administrator from liability for its own grossly negligent
action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, its grossly negligent failure
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to perform its obligations in compliance with this Agreement, or any
liability that would be imposed by reason of its willful misfeasance
or bad faith; provided that:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Swap Contract Administrator
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Agreement, the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be liable,
individually or as Swap Contract Administrator, except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Agreement against the Swap Contract
Administrator and the Swap Contract Administrator may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any
certificates or opinions furnished to the Swap Contract
Administrator and conforming to the requirements of this
Agreement that it reasonably believed in good faith to be genuine
and to have been duly executed by the proper authorities
respecting any matters arising hereunder;
(ii) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be liable, individually
or as Swap Contract Administrator, for an error of judgment made
in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of
the Swap Contract Administrator, unless the Swap Contract
Administrator was grossly negligent or acted in bad faith or with
willful misfeasance; and
(iii) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be liable,
individually or as Swap Contract Administrator, with respect to
any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good
faith in accordance with the direction of the Trustee or CHL, or
exercising any power conferred upon the Swap Contract
Administrator under this Agreement.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 8(a) and 8(b):
(i) the Swap Contract Administrator may request and rely upon and
shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any
resolution, officer's certificate, certificate of auditors or any
other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed
or presented by the proper party or parties;
(ii) the Swap Contract Administrator may consult with counsel and any
opinion of counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such opinion
of counsel;
(iii) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be liable,
individually or as Swap Contract Administrator, for any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it
to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers
conferred upon it by this Agreement;
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(iv) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or
document, unless requested in writing so to do by the
Counterparty, CHL or the Trustee; provided, however, that if the
payment within a reasonable time to the Swap Contract
Administrator of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be
incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the
opinion of the Swap Contract Administrator not reasonably assured
to the Swap Contract Administrator by the Counterparty, CHL
and/or the Trustee, the Swap Contract Administrator may require
reasonable indemnity against such expense, or liability from the
Counterparty, CHL and/or the Trustee, as the case may be, as a
condition to taking any such action;
(v) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be required to expend
its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder if it shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such liability is not assured to it;
and
(vi) the Swap Contract Administrator shall not be liable, individually
or as Swap Contract Administrator, with respect to or in
connection with errors or omissions contained in the report to be
provided pursuant to Section 6 hereof, to the extent such errors
or omissions are the result of inaccuracies in the methodology or
other information provided to the Swap Contract Administrator by
CHL.
(d) CHL covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Swap Contract
Administrator, upon its request, for all reasonable expenses and
disbursements incurred or made by the Swap Contract Administrator in
accordance with any of the provisions of this Agreement except any
such expense or disbursement as may arise from its negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct. The Swap Contract Administrator and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Swap Contract
Administrator shall be indemnified by CHL and held harmless against
any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with any legal
action relating to this Agreement, the Swap Contract or the Assignment
Agreement, or in connection with the performance of any of the Swap
Contract Administrator's duties hereunder or thereunder, other than
any loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of any of the
Swap Contract Administrator's duties hereunder or thereunder. Such
indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the
resignation of the Swap Contract Administrator hereunder and under the
Swap Contract and the Assignment Agreement. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Section 8(d), any expenses, disbursements,
losses or liabilities of the Swap Contract Administrator or any
director, officer, employee or agent thereof that are made or incurred
as a result of any request, order or direction of any NIM Insurer or
any of the Certificateholders made to the Trustee as contemplated by
Section 8.02(a)(9) of
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the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and consequently made to the Swap
Contract Administrator by the Trustee shall be payable by the Trustee
out of the security or indemnity provided by any NIM Insurer or such
Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(9) of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.
(e) Upon the resignation of BNY as Trustee in accordance with the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement, (i) BNY shall resign and be discharged from
its duties as Swap Contract Administrator hereunder and (ii) the
Person that succeeds BNY as Trustee shall be appointed as successor
Swap Contract Administrator hereunder upon its execution,
acknowledgement and delivery of the instrument accepting such
appointment in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, whereupon the duties of the Swap Contract
Administrator hereunder shall pass to such Person. In addition, upon
the appointment of a successor Trustee under the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, such successor Trustee shall succeed to the rights of the
Trustee hereunder.
(f) In the event of a NIM Issuance, nothing in this Section 8 shall limit
or otherwise modify or affect the rights, duties or obligations of the
Swap Contract Administrator under the related Swap Excess Assignment
Agreement.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Each of BNY and CHL hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any
legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
(c) The Counterparty shall be an express third party beneficiary of this
Agreement for the purpose of enforcing the provisions hereof to the
extent of the Counterparty's rights explicitly specified herein as if
a party hereto.
(d) This Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of the Swap
Contract and the disbursement by the Swap Contract Administrator of
all funds received under the Swap Contract to CHL and the Trustee on
behalf of the Holders of the Benefited Certificates.
(e) This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified in writing by
the parties hereto, provided that no amendment shall adversely affect
in any material respect the Counterparty without the prior written
consent of the Counterparty, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
(f) This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this
Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by
facsimile transmission), and all such counterparts taken together
shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
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(g) Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition
or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(h) The representations and warranties made by the parties to this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
No act or omission on the part of any party hereto shall constitute a
waiver of any such representation or warranty.
(i) The article and section headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only, and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning
of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Swap Contract Administrator
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
not in its individual or corporate
capacity but solely as Trustee
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
[Filed herein as Ex. 99.2]
A-1
